Mining giant Rio Tinto, which is operating the Bunder diamond project in Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, has taken up the initiative to maintain the biodiversity of the state. For this, it has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) to protect India’s critically endangered vulture species. This first of-its-kind partnership in the mining industry in India, aims to support a number of wildlife management initiatives over a five year period.

Dr Nik Senapati, managing director of Rio Tinto India said, “The negative effect of the declining vulture population on the economy, public health and culture in India cannot be underestimated”, further stating that the company looks forward to a long and fruitful collaboration with BNHS.

Vultures are a critical part of the food chain and help maintain a balanced ecosystem. In India, the vulture numbers have decreased by up to 99 percent in under a decade, the fastest decline of any bird ever reported. This is directly linked to animal husbandry practices.

Dr Rahmani Director of the Bombay natural History Society said, "this project is of international significance and sets a new benchmark in saving critically endanger species of vultures." Mr Tarun Malkani, chief operating officer of Rio Tinto Diamonds in India said, “This partnership is a reflection of our long term commitment to Madhya Pradesh and the way we work with the government, local partners and industry experts.”

Madhya Pradesh has a thriving population of birdlife and is a natural habitat for vultures. Together with Birdlife International and the Bombay Natural History Society, a 100 kilometre vulture “safety zone” will be established in the state, to protect wild vultures. Also the aim is that in the future vultures from captive breeding centres in India could be re-introduced into the wild and in turn it could revert back to being a self- supporting population.